feature GOING STAG

There are some pieces that are just so perfect they stop you in your track. Granted, this often happens when I'm trying to avoid doing something else. Nonetheless this happened when I saw the Oh Deer sculpture by ArtMind which was modern, seasonal and just too cute.

Since I've been avoiding doing laundry for a week - it seemed obvious that I should take this opportunity to blog about stags. Sure deers have been popular for the past couple of seasons, but stags aren't cute cuddle Bambi-type creatures. Stags are powerful and primal and the sort of thing that accompanies a flask of Lagavulin, a deer stalker hat and a brisk walk in the Scottish highlands.

All of this sounds good, but still let's not forget this started out as a post about an adorable holiday decoration, so on that note....goodbye and have a good weekend!

FEATURING:
+ oh deer sculpture, $75, artmind
+ handcrafted deer cards with pressed flowers, $15 for 5, studio flower power
+ deer switchplate decal, $8, byrdie graphics
+ gocco printed reindeer cards, $4.50 for 5, tuesday afternoon tee
+ deer appliqued kids hoodie, $26, finley & oliver

slideshow OCTOBER PICKS

The October slideshow is dedicated to everything halloween. I hope you enjoy it - and feel free to leave a comment with your favorite design.

launch INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE

Spring is here...and not just because it's sunny outside and birds are chirping! Spring is officially here because I've just launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // spring 09.

The poster child of the guide is the gum popping girl in the Bubble Lights "organic" silk scarf by Yosifa Silk. There is something so incredibly spring-like about the style of the scarf and photography. Carefree in a sophisticated sort of way.

This guide started off a little differently - very slow. Even the designers who are usually the first to sign up, put all spending on hold while sales slowed down. I considered not doing a guide - however instead I decided to support to very designers who had supported the guide over the past year and offer several free spots. The response was overwhelming - and so I am especially proud to launch this guide.

As a result, I have decided that I will continue to offer 3 free juried spots to designers in every guide. I will also continue to suprise the odd designer by including their work at the very last minute, these designers are usually new designers who I haven't featured before.

Juried spots will be awarded to the 3 top designers from the previous guide. This will be determined by a combination of the following:
+ saves on StyleHive
+ saves on ThisNext
+ or leave a comment on this post

Thank you and enjoy!

color HELLO YELLOW

The sky is grey - rain, rain go away - but spotted here and there in the garden are daffodils. And, this seems as good a time as any to feature some spring like yellow products from some fabulous independent designers.

All of these products are super sunny looking, but my favorite has got to be the jolly looking "egg pants". So get in touch with your inner "spring" and check out these delicious things!

FEATURING:
+ hello cards, $6 for $13, in vita
+ hand batiked linen fabric, $25, margot bianca
+ mirabel anorak, $180, suzabelle
+ egg pants, $20, design glut
+ yellow yarrow ring, $53, bario-neal
+ "lovely taka the ninja" leather keychain, 13 EUR, leather prince

some bunny to love

It might not be Easter or even spring yet, but how could I resist when I saw these darling little rabbits. Could it be that they are ready to take the crown from reigning woodland favorites, deers? Who knows!

What I do know it that this post started when I saw the cut out bunny cards by pocket studio. However, I promptly managed to forget who the designer was and how they ended up on my iPhone in the first place. After many wasted hours sleuthing, I remembered that the designer was featured on Etsy. So now with all information in hand, I give you .... bunnies!

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ Rabbit vase, $48, pretty random objects
+ Bunny pendant / fob, $8, la coque
+ Cutout rabbit card, $4.50, pocket studio
+ Bunny check lists, $3.75, may third


For more bunnies, check them out on the WHAT designers hive

zombies and bats and ghosts - oh my!

There is something delightful about Halloween. Sure kids dressed as the undead may be a little unseemly. And of course, you'll have a sugar hangover for about 9 days. But apart from all that; it's the beginning of the holiday season.

So, put on something Halloween-y, get out last years candy - and please don't knock on my door after 8pm....I'll be watching House!

FEATURING:
+ halloween card, $2.50, isabell's umbrella
+ metal monster necklace, $81, blend creations
+ zombie t-shirt, $30, nooworks
+ skull cufflinks, $55, angel silver
+ every day is halloween buttons, $6 CAD, sick on sin
+ battie enamel earrings, $26, ruby girl

cards GET WELL SOON

It's always good to be prepared with a few cards for every occasion - otherwise you find yourself scrambling to find the perfect card. You've especially got to be on your toes with Get Well cards otherwise you might be too late to send one.

So here's a few to add to your card collection....oh, and I hope you're feeling better Susan!

FEATURING (clockwise from top left):
+ felt cross card, $6.50, artmind
+ darwin almost got you card, $3, hatemail
+ bandaid card, $8/4, artlife
+ xray cards, $16/6, scodioli
+ flower card, $2.50, chic home designs
+ crest "get better" card, $3.50, earmark

go shopping : FALL DESIGN GUIDE

I've just launched Fall edition of the INDEPENDENT DESIGN SHOPPING GUIDE. The guide features work from Britain, France, Australia, Canada and, of course, the US. It's international flavor is matched by the individuality of the designers creations. I mean, how delicious is a hand embroidered revolver on wool herringbone fabric?

Some of the designers have generously offered free shipping and other discounts...but you'll have to check out the guide to see who's offering what and why!

Check it out: INDEPENDENT DESIGN SHOPPING GUIDE // FALL 2008

Featuring the work of:
Home:
Napoleon, One Up Designs, J-me, Etcetera Media, harmonie intérieure

Art + Paper Products:
12 Fifteen, Sweetbeets

Fashion:
Ahpeele, enju

Jewelry:
Simone Walsh, Alice Roche, Caught Red Handed, Coquito, Jewelry by Natsuko

Bags + Accessories:
Moop, Backerton, Paco+Lupe, Sarah Padgham

Baby + Kids:
Ciuccio, Sweetbeets

mad for plaid

I know plaids and tartans are a little on the fallish side, but I came across this lovely bag and I just had to feature it. Plus my vintage Barbie calendar seems to be travelling with a little tartan number this month.

Sketchbook bags are super cute and have a modern librarian vibe - in a good way. Like in an old 50's flick where you put a pair of glasses on Audrey Hepburn to make her look bookish - but it's Audrey Hepburn, how bookish can she be!

FEATURING:
+ tartan plaid bag, $85, sketchbook
+ plaid notecards, $6, darjeeling paper ltd
+ plaid silver ring, $38, off beat studio

what + lexie sullivan

Let me welcome Lexie Sullivan to the WHAT designers website.

I love Lexie's work, so was thrilled when she contacted me about participating in WHAT designers. The style is a fabulously modern, but fun and organic too.

See more at WHATdesigners.com and LexieSullivan.com

I'll have a chandelier

Okay the title sounds good to me, but I've had a cold and feel strangely serene after popping a couple of those "behind-the-counter" sudafeds.

I've noticed that chandeliers used for lighting have a fabulous modern feel while chandelier imagery as embellishment is very much vintage.

CLOCKWISE:
+ chandelier, grey design
+ coral chandelier, moth design
+ chandelier necklace, $21, junk posse
+ chandelier wall graphic, $29, one up
+ chandelier and damask cards, $12.99 for 6, papernosh

modern printed matter

I love what I do (surely the money will follow right??). Yes, I love what I do and it's because I get to spend time looking at some of the most amazing designs from the most amazing independent designers.

What started as a creative outlet for an engineering grad has turned into quite a nice little business. Now a full-time venture, designer Anna Cote has her collection in over 150 stores.

Now that's an independent designer success story!

Available online at modern printed matter

monochrome set

If you haven't noticed, damask and wallpaper motifs are oh so popular right now. I must admit that it has grown on me - obviously taking a while to adjust to the trend. Although, I couldn't truly appreciate the more colorful origins, I just love these pared down graphic retakes.

Once again, the boys got missed out on this post, but I have found a little damask action for them...stay tuned!

CLOCKWISE (from top left):
+ old news wallpaper, $85 / roll, ferm living available through design public
+ embellish bangle clutch, $49, posh by tori
+ damask card, $4, earmark
+ mismatch earrings, £90, hannah louis lamb
+ damask tee, $22, latak

thanks old chum

There are so many ways to say thank you. In these days of email, it's so delightful to receive a card in the mail.

Here are some splendid cards from the best and brightest independent designers.

CLOCKWISE (starting top left):
: bella thanks, $3.50, pepperina press
: hey thanks, $4.50 for 2, the paper princess
: gracias, $4.50, binth available from greer chicago
: wooden thanks, $10/set of 6, 12fifteen
: bird mini card, $10 for 6, pink bathtub
: thank you kindly, $3.75, pearl marmalade